Fourth International Flora Expo 2008 concluded on September 28, 2008 at New Delhi. Besides 19 States including J&K, various companies from 30 leading countries of the world participated in the Expo. J&K State was awarded first position in the pavilion display. The award was presented to Mr. Tuyib Ji Advisor to Governor by Mrs. Sonali Kumar Principal Sectary Agriculture Production Department today.
On this occasion Principal Secretary Mrs. Sonali stated that besides the Expo has familiarized the floral wealth of the State and has given exposure to the participating farmers of the State. The conception of the JK pavilion aimed at providing exposure to the three divisions of the State along with their floral wealth. Thousand of visitors all over the world visited the J&K pavilion and showed their interest in flowering bulbs viz Lilium, Tulips, Zantedeschia, Peonies, Aromatic oils such as Lavender and Rose. Dignitaries from various Countries, Center and State Government’s visited the JK pavilion and appreciated the State Governments efforts for popularizing commercial floriculture form the State of J&K to the National and international players of commercial floriculture.
Buyer Seller Meet was organized in the State pavilion where the participating farmers discussed the procurement of quality planting material and allied inputs with that of National and International Companies. Marketing of the floral produce from the State was also discussed.
The area under commercial floriculture has witnessed significant increase for the last few years as the area under various crops of commercial floriculture has increased from 100 heaters in the year 2000 to about 300 heaters by mid of 2008. Like wise the revenue in the private as well as public sector is expected to raise over Rs. 3.50 crores by the end of this year.